President’s Cabinet Meeting

November 7, 2006

9:00 a.m.

Minutes

Attendees:  President Ivory V. Nelson, Vice President Howard E. Merlin, Vice President Michael B. Hill, Vice President Grant D. Venerable, Vice President William B. Bynum, and Ms. Diane M. Brown.

Minutes

Draft Cabinet minutes of October 31, 2006 were approved.

Communication with Constituents on topics of importance

President Nelson stressed the need for the communication and awareness of issues falling outside the divisions in which we work.  Collegiality and respect for and among peers and other divisions is very important and key to effective management and growth.

Additional $2.7 million in Funding Secured for Student Union Renovation

President Nelson has asked for and has received approval for additional capital funds in the amount of $2.7 million for the Student Union Building (SUB) renovation project.  This additional funding will allow the Department of General Services (DGS) to award the current bids for this project (which came in at $2.5 million over the project allocation) as well as provide for adequate contingencies.  This amounts to $10.7 million for the total renovation of the SUB.

Capital Project – Backup Generator

The Department of General Services (DGS) has issued a request for bids to “Replace Existing Electrical & Communications Infrastructure & Campus Lighting – Power Generating System.”  The project is estimated to cost $500,000 to $1,000,000.  The bid date has been set for Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Lincoln Professor named Fulbright Scholar

Dr. James K. Van Dover, Professor, Department of English has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar Grant.  As a Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Van Dover will be lecturing on “Detective Fiction and Theory and Development of the Novel” at the University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, March 2007 – July 2007. 

2007 USA Funds Symposium

Lincoln University will apply to send a team of 3-4 academicians to this symposium, USA Funds’ sixth Symposium for Minority-Serving Institutions.  The 2007 Symposium theme “Pursuing Excellence in Student Preparation, Access and Success” will have student retention as its focus.

Grambling State University Honor

On November 3, 2006, Grambling State University held a ceremony to officially induct selected alumni into the Grambling State University Alumni Hall of Fame.  President Nelson was among the 2006 alumni honorees.  As such, he will join fellow Grambling alumni whose photos are on display in the Grambling State College of Education Gallery of Distinction. 

Development and External Relations

Updates were provided regarding agenda topics for the upcoming Board of Trustees meeting.

Cabinet came to agreement on decisions needed to bring the Urban Center Master Lease to closure.

Fiscal Affairs

Our student enrollment numbers are on target to meet the budget.

Vice President Bynum will contact the newly formed police union to begin contract negotiations.

Update on football/band/Title IX was provided.

Spring 2006 Enrollment Statistics

# Undergraduates enrolled Spring 2006 ……………………   499

# Undergraduates enrolled Spring 2005 ……………………   308

# Undergraduates admitted Spring 2006 ……………………     39

# Undergraduates admitted Spring 2005 ……………………     47

# Deposits Paid Spring 2006 ………………………………     14

# Deposits Paid Spring 2005 ………………………………     16

There being no further business, President Nelson adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

Diane M. Brown

Assistant to the President